Byron R. Newton | |
|---|---|
 Newton in 1917 | |
| Collector of the Port of New York | |
| In office 1917–1921 | |
| Preceded by | Dudley Field Malone |
| Succeeded by | George W. Aldridge |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Byron Rufus Newton (1861-08-04)August 4, 1861 Wirt, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 20, 1938(1938-03-20) (aged 76) Bayside, Queens, U.S. |
Byron Rufus Newton (August 4, 1861 – March 20, 1938) was an American journalist,political figure, early aviation promoter, and author ofsatirical poetry. He was the publicity director ofWoodrow Wilson's presidential campaign in 1912, and served asCollector of the Port of New York from 1917 to 1921.[1][2]
He was born inWirt, New York, on August 4, 1861, the son of Laurens C. Newton, a farmer who claimed a remote relation to SirIsaac Newton. He attendedOberlin College Preparatory School from 1882 to 1884.[2]
He was a reporter for theBuffalo Evening News and theNew York Herald and he went to Cuba to cover theSpanish–American War.[2]
He became private secretary toWilliam Gibbs McAdoo in 1910, which brought him intoWoodrow Wilson's orbit; he served as publicity director in Wilson's 1912 presidential campaign. After Wilson was elected, and McAdoo became Secretary of the Treasury, Newton was appointed First Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, and in 1917–21 served as Collector of Customs for the Port of New York. Wilson also appointed him to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.[2]
In 1933, Newton helped lead the fusion campaign that electedFiorello H. LaGuardia as mayor. Later, LaGuardia appointed Newton Tax Commissioner for Queens.[1]
Byron R. Newton died on March 20, 1938, inBayside, Queens, New York City, at the age of 76. He was buried inFlushing Cemetery.[1]
In 1905, while working at the Herald, he wrote the satirical poem "Owed to New York", which has been frequently quoted[3][4][5][6] and republished.[7][8][9][10]
Vulgar of manner, overfed,
Overdressed and underbred,
Heartless, Godless, Hell's delight,
Rude by day and lewd by night;
Bedwarfed the man, o'ergrown the brute,
Ruled by boss and prostitute:
Purple-robed and pauper-clad,
Raving, rotting, money-mad;
A squirming herd in Mammon's mesh,
A wilderness of human flesh;
Crazed by avarice, lust and rum,
New York, thy name's "Delirium."
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Collector of the Port of New York 1917–1921 | Succeeded by |